The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.

The Art of Downplay

My value system includes generosity, a caring mindset, and pursuits of knowledge and truth. And holding modesty, humility, self-deprecating character traits help me with this value system to make for: an unassuming posture when listening to others; an objective-oriented evaluation of any situation; and most importantly, being straightforward to myself before I can be the same onto others.

I believe when someone’s value system is challenged or compromised, self-worth and trust in others are diminished. That happens. It’s a part of life. But it’s how you handle life’s tests that can be special, too. I’ve observed how others sometime cope by downplaying the merits or importance for when something doesn’t go their way — perhaps to lessen “disappointment”, to “save face” in the public eye, or even to help suppress or dismiss it entirely by “moving on”.

What I’ve learned to recognize from my own downplaying is that it’s acceptable to put it on display — when appropriate — to reflect how much I care inside by a hidden pain. I believe it can serve a purpose in relationship building, even trust, despite a negative light it can cast. Downplaying doesn’t make you any stronger with an “I can handle it” posturing, or add validation with an “I am right” or “You are wrong” verdict. Technically, it makes you a liar. Laughing to myself, let’s downplay that starkness by saying it makes you human.

I see pursuing truth starting with an assemblage of facts and organizing them by circumstance. Facts alone can be twisted to suit bias; and truth happens as a result of ordering the facts. What happens after arriving to a truth? How do you assimilate it with who you are?

Now take that to another level — how do you deal with an “accepted truth” off downplayed facts? That is, you’ve arrived to a truth that is a different version of someone else, because of your understanding of the facts and circumstance. When I judge that as a result of someone presenting (most) facts in (mostly) ordered circumstance to suit bias, my value system has troubled straightforwardness and affects having a caring mindset. And more often than not, I cannot cry foul nor seek a justice. I have to find “it” in myself — faith, mental toughness, vigilance — to cope.